Strong message from Jon Rahm in golf war

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The Ryder Cup should feature the best players and it shouldn't matter if some have decided to join LIV Golf, said Spanish player Jon Rahm, world number 2 and reigning Masters champion, who also expressed his sadness at the absence of his Spanish compatriot Sergio García in the duel against the United States that will be held this year in Rome (Italy, September 29-October 1).

Garcia holds the record for points won in the history of the European team and went unbeaten in the three games he played with Rahm in the 2021 edition, although the US did pick up a resounding victory at Whistling Straits.

Jon Rahm, statements

However, the man from Castellón is not eligible for the 2023 Ryder Cup after giving up the European Tour to join LIV Golf, the million-dollar Super League financed by Saudi Arabia. "I'm going to miss him.

We make a great couple at Whistling Straits," Rahm said at his news conference at Muirfield Village Golf Club ahead of this week's Memorial Tournament on the American PGA Tour. "I'm going to explain the story one more time.

I think a Spanish couple in the Ryder Cup is something that is at the roots of the Ryder Cup. Look what Seve Ballesteros and Txema Olazábal were able to do throughout their career, so It's a bit sad for me that politics got in the way of such a beautiful event," Rahm said emphatically.

Garcia's resignation came a month after the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, won its legal battle to be able to suspend and fine players who participated without permission in LIV Golf tournaments. Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, also said that before announcing his resignation, he had spoken to European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald to see where he stood on being part of the team and told him that he "didn't have any possibility".

But if reigning Masters champion Rahm could have his way, Garcia would be at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome from September 29 to October 1. "Again, it's the best Europeans against the best Americans, period.

And whatever happens, for me it shouldn't matter who plays or not at LIV Golf," insisted Rahm, who threw more capes at his compatriot Sergio Garcia. "He is the best suited to represent the European team. And I find it hard to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has ever had in the Ryder Cup, is not fit to be on the team," he said.

the Basque player. Currently, four Spaniards are in the top-10 in the European classification of the Ryder Cup: Jon Rahm (1st), Adrián Otaegui (6th), Jorge Campillo (8th) and Pablo Larrazábal (9th). Rahm is hopeful that he is not the only Spaniard in Luke Donald's 12-man squad in Rome.

"I will miss Sergio, but with that said I want to be hopeful. There are a couple of Spanish guys playing really well right now and I hope they can join me in the team," Jon concluded.